Anarsa: Bihar's Famous Khoa-and-Ghee Sweet — What It Is & Where to Order

If you grew up in Bihar, the word "anarsa" probably needs no introduction. For everyone else: anarsa is a traditional deep-fried sweet made from rice, enriched here with khoa (milk solids) and fried in ghee — crisp on the outside, soft and melt-in-the-mouth at the centre. The celebrated version comes from Gaya, Bihar — the product page describes anarsa as "originating from Gaya" and a sweet "filled with Khoa (mawa)." And now, you can order that very anarsa online and have it delivered anywhere in India.

What Is Anarsa?

Anarsa is one of India's oldest rice-based sweets. The basic method is slow and deliberate: rice is soaked, dried, and ground into flour; the flour is kneaded with sugar into a dough; the dough is shaped into small discs and deep-fried in ghee until golden. The result is a sweet with a distinctive texture — a crispy, caramelised exterior giving way to a soft centre.

The sweet varies by region. In Maharashtra, it's often made with jaggery and topped with poppy seeds, and it's a staple of the Diwali faral. In Nepal, it's a festival sweet too. But the Bihari version — the one this article is about — is distinct: it's made with khoa (mawa) and ghee, which makes it richer, softer, and more indulgent than the plainer rice-and-jaggery versions. In fact, when mawa is added to anarsa, it's traditionally called "mava anarsa" — softer and more flavourful than the standard kind.

The Gaya Connection

Gaya is best known as a pilgrimage city, but food lovers know it for something else: its sweets. The IndyGood listing describes its anarsa as "originating from Gaya," promising delivery of "delicious fresh Anarsa filled with Khoa (mawa) from the famous lanes of Bihar."

The product page describes the sweet directly: "Crafted with a unique blend of powdered rice, sugar, and khoya, these delectable treats are deep-fried in ghee, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center." And it promises delivery of "delicious fresh Anarsa filled with Khoa (mawa) from the famous lanes of Bihar."

That combination — rice, sugar, khoa, ghee — is what makes the Bihari anarsa special. The khoa adds a milky richness that plain rice sweets don't have, and the ghee frying gives it an aroma that refined-oil frying never could.

Why Anarsa Is Worth Trying

If you've never had anarsa, here's what to expect — and why it's different from the other sweets in your mithai box:

1. A texture you won't find elsewhere. Very few Indian sweets are both crispy and soft in the same bite. The anarsa's fried rice-flour shell crackles, then gives way to a tender, khoa-rich centre. It's closer to a cookie-meets-mithai hybrid than to a barfi or laddu.

2. The khoa-ghee richness. Most rice-based sweets are relatively lean. The Bihari version doubles down with khoa and ghee, making it a genuinely indulgent sweet — the kind you eat two of and remember.

3. Festival heritage. Anarsa is deeply tied to Diwali and other festivals across Bihar, UP, Maharashtra, and Nepal. Ordering it for the festive season is like ordering a piece of the celebration itself.

4. Hard to find outside Bihar. Unlike rasgulla or gulab jamun, which every sweet shop in India makes, good khoa anarsa is a regional speciality. Outside Bihar, finding an authentic version is genuinely difficult — which is exactly why an online option matters.

Anarsa Sweet Price in India (2026)

The 800g pack of Anarsa from Gaya, Bihar is listed at ₹799 on IndyGood (price verified on the product page at the time of writing; prices can change, so confirm on the live page).

Is that reasonable? Consider what goes into it: khoa (milk solids, which require litres of milk to produce), pure ghee for deep-frying, and a labour-intensive multi-day rice preparation. At roughly ₹100 per 100g, it's priced as a premium heritage sweet — comparable to good-quality kaju katli or milk cake, and far above mass-produced sweets. The 800g pack is a generous size: enough for a family through the festive week, or for gifting with some left over for yourself.

Where to Buy Anarsa Online in India

Here's the practical problem: anarsa doesn't have the pan-India distribution of bigger mithai brands. Searching for "anarsa sweet" online mostly turns up recipes and news articles — very few places actually sell the authentic Gaya khoa-ghee version with delivery across India.

IndyGood fills that gap: order authentic Gaya anarsa online on IndyGood — the 800g pack from Gaya, Bihar, with free delivery across India. Payment is online only (cards, UPI, net banking, Paytm wallet); as with all fresh perishable sweets, there's no cash on delivery.

Building a Bihar-themed sweet box? Browse the store's Bestsellers collection for other heritage sweets and snacks that pair well — a mix of regional specialities makes a far more memorable gift than a single generic mithai box.

What to Look for When Buying Anarsa Online

• Check the origin. The Bihari khoa-ghee anarsa comes from Bihar — Gaya, in the case of this listing. A generic "anarsa" with no stated origin or ingredient promise is a gamble.
• Check the ingredients promised. The Bihari khoa-ghee version is the premium one. If a listing doesn't mention khoa or ghee, it's likely the plainer rice-and-sugar style.
• Check the pack size. 800g is a substantial pack — good for families and gifting. If you're trying anarsa for the first time, it's still a safe quantity because the sweet keeps well in an airtight container (see storage tips below).
• Check dispatch speed. Fresh sweets should ship fast — order a few days ahead of a festival or event.
• Check the frying medium. Ghee-fried vs. oil-fried is the quality line for this sweet. This listing specifies ghee.

Serving and Storage Tips

Anarsa is a fresh, perishable sweet — treat it with the care you'd give any mithai from a good halwai.

• Serving. Anarsa is best at room temperature — the khoa centre is at its softest then. It needs no accompaniment, though it pairs beautifully with chai or coffee as an evening sweet.
• Festive serving. Arrange on a platter for Diwali or Chhath gatherings; the golden discs look striking next to paler sweets like barfi.
• Storage. Transfer to a clean, airtight container and keep in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and moisture. Don't refrigerate unless the weather is very hot and humid — and if you do, bring it back to room temperature before serving so the centre softens again.
• Gifting. The 800g pack makes an excellent festive gift, especially for anyone from Bihar living away from home. Order a few days before you need to gift it.

FAQs: Anarsa Sweet

What is anarsa made of?

The Bihari version sold on IndyGood is made with powdered rice, sugar, and khoa (mawa), deep-fried in ghee — per the product page. This gives it a crispy exterior and a soft, melt-in-the-mouth centre. Regional versions elsewhere may use jaggery instead of sugar, or skip the khoa.

Where can I buy authentic anarsa online?

You can order authentic Gaya anarsa — made with khoa and ghee per the product page — on IndyGood. It's an 800g pack, with free delivery across India.

What is the price of anarsa online?

The 800g pack is listed at ₹799 on IndyGood (verified at the time of writing). Prices can change, so check the live product page. The price reflects the khoa, ghee, and labour-intensive preparation.

Is anarsa the same as thekua?

No. Both are Bihari sweets, but thekua is a whole-wheat-flour and jaggery cookie-like sweet, while anarsa is rice-flour based (with khoa in the Bihari version) and deep-fried into crisp-soft discs. They're different sweets entirely.

How is the Bihari anarsa different from the Maharashtrian one?

The Maharashtrian anarsa is typically made with rice flour and jaggery, often topped with poppy seeds. The Bihari version adds khoa (mawa) and is fried in ghee, making it richer and softer. The IndyGood product is the Bihari khoa-ghee style from Gaya.

How should I store anarsa after delivery?

Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Serve at room temperature. Since it's a fresh sweet, enjoy it reasonably soon after arrival.

CTA — Buy now: Buy Authentic Gaya Anarsa (800g) online on IndyGood — with free delivery across India.